The epistle of the blessed apostle Saint Paule which he, in the time of his trouble and imprisonment, sent in writting from Rome to the Ephesians. Faithfully expounded, both for the benefite of the learned and vnlearned, by Nicholas Hemming ... Familiarlie translated out of Latine into English, by Abraham Fleming. Heerein are handled the high mysteries of our saluation, as maie appeare by the table of commonplaces necessarilie annexed by the same A.F. Perused and authorised.

3. Verse.

Blessed be God, euen the father of our Lord Iesus Christ.

Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ.

THe apostle beginneth with thanksgiuing: which tendeth héerevnto, euen to admonish vs of our duetie. For it is not conuenient, that we should lightly passe ouer and let slip any grace of God, without praising & magnifieng his name for the same.

The word (Blessing) which Saint Paul vseth in this place hath not a simple signification, but varieth in consi∣deration of that wherevnto it is applied: for God bles∣seth man, man blesseth God, and man blesseth man: how∣beit diuerse and differing waies. When God is said to blesse man, y^e meaning is, That God in speaking the word, prospereth and dealeth well with him. For the worde of God is his worke: and what he saith, is done. Man is said to blesse God, when with a true faith he praiseth & glori∣fieth God for his benefits, through Iesus Christ, and that with the heart, & outward confession of the mouth. That this is so, it is euident: bicause the Scripture vseth these wordes, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (well wishing, and bles∣sing) indifferently, the one for the other. Man is said to blesse man, when he wisheth him prosperitie, and prai∣eth that all things may goe well with him.

Furthermore, the priestlie blessing is not to be suppo∣sed the blessing of man onely, but rather of God: in which blessing the commaundement & the promise is to be mar∣ked. The commaundement is this: Benedicetis, &c. (Thus shall you blesse the children of Israel (saith the Lord) & say vnto them:* 1.1 The Lord blesse thee and keepe thee, The Lord make his face shine vpon thee, & be mercifull vnto thee, The Lord lift vp his countenaunce vpon thee, and

giue thee peace.) The promise is this: Inuocabunt Sacer∣dotes, &c. The Priests shall put my name vpon the chil∣dren of Israel, and I will blesse them.) This promise is to be receiued by faith, and it staieth vpon the merite of Christ, in whome all the promises of God are, yea, and Amen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Num. 6. 23